Project 10073 Record — Waterloo, Iowa, 12 April 1966

On April 12, 1966, at approximately 0230Z, multiple observers in Waterloo, Iowa, reported sighting three red lights in the sky. The objects were described as being roughly the size of a baseball, exhibiting no definite shape, and moving slowly in a level, erratic floating motion without maneuvers, tails, trails, or exhaust. The objects were observed for 15 minutes before fading from view. The witnesses included local police officers and an air traffic control specialist, all of whom were noted as being reliable. The weather conditions at the time were clear with no ceiling and 15-mile visibility. The 788th Radar Squadron at Waverly AFS investigated the incident, noting that the objects were first observed at 090 degrees at an altitude of 2500 feet. Despite the initial report, the intelligence officer for the 788th Radar Squadron concluded that the sighting met the description of a balloon. No physical evidence was recovered, and no unusual acts or conditions were reported.